Turn bank indicator and inclinometer



May 2, 1933. J. P. FEDQR TURN BANK INDICATOR AND INCLINOMETER Filed July14 1930 iNVENTOR r/M/I Rau/ f'a af.

ATTORNEY Patented ay 9 1193.3

JOHN PAUL FEDOR, OF NEW CASTLE, INDIANA TURN BANK INDIGATbR ANDINCLINOMETER Application filed July 14,

This invention relates to a new and useful instrument that will act as aturn bank indicator and inclinometer, being primarily intended for useon aeroplanes, and being particularly useful in training student pilots,in night flying, flying through fog, flying at high altitudes, and atany time when there is no visible horizon.

A further object is to provide such an instrument that will also beuseful on dirigibles, submarines, ocean-going vessels, surveyorsinstruments and other places where an instrument of this type can beemployed to advantage. v

Further, it is an object to provide an instrument in which the degree ofsensitivity may be varied to suit the user.

A further object is to provide against the effect of surging of themercury in the cup particularly in the vicinity of the circuit closingpoints, whereby the accuracy and dependability of the instrument may beeffected.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in' part be pointedouthereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention stillfurther resides in the noveldetails of construction, combination andarrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in thefollowing de- 30 tailed description, then be particularly pointed out inthe appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, inwhich Figure 1 is a plan view of my device.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectioned ther bottom is providedwith a concaved or curved groove portion 4, the purpose of which to1930. Serial No. 467,946.

allow the mercury within the cup to flow at 1 right angles to the bottomof the surge-reduccup 1 is secured by countersunk cap screws 6. v

7 designates a series of surge-reducing or preventing tubes 7 composedof a suitable dielectric material and having bottom passages 8 wherebythe mercury in the cup may also find its level in the tubes, and thetubes are further provided near their upper ends with air ports ,9 tocommunicate with the air space above the mercury in the cup.

A series of contact carrying plugs, equal in number to the number oftubes employed are provided, the plugs 10 being provided with contactpoints 11 and with mounting shanks 12, the latter carrying nuts 13 bywhich the plugs are secured in place. Each plug 10 projects into itscorresponding surgereducing tube 7 and serves to hold that tube down onthe bottom of the cup and in its proper location in the cup.

"It will 'be observed that the axes. of the several tubes 7 lie at rightangles .to the bot tom of the cup and the various tubes and contactpoints are arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup andequi-distant from each other and from saidaxis.

Within the cup is a mercury displacing body 14 preferably in the natureof a float. This body 14 carries a rack rod 15 which passes through asuitable stufing box or gland 16 in the cover 2 and through bearingapertures in the adjusting shaft bearing and. gear box 17, thearrangement being such that the float 14 may rise and fall along a lineparallel to the axis of the cup. 18 is an adjusting shaft which ismounted in suitable hearing apertures in the box 17 and which carries agear 19 to mesh with the rack portion 20 of the rod 15. The gear box 17'is secured to-the cap 2 by screws 21 or is mountdon in any othersuitable way. i 22 designates a series of light sockets carried by ormounted on the disk 5 in any convenient arrangement, preferably in theform of a circle around the ax-is'of the shaft 18.

The shaft 18 has bearing 23 in the dial disk 5 and it carries a' dialand knob 24 by means of which the shaft may be turned for the pur- .poseof raising and lowering the float 14.

The dial portion of the dial and knob member 24 is preferably graduatedin degrees and fractions thereof.

The dial disk 5 may also be provided with holes 26 for mounting screwsor bolts by which the instrument may be mounted on the instrument panelboard of .the machine. or vehicle on which it is used.-

27 designates the battery or source of power, 28 a rheostat for turningoff the power and regulating the same, and 29 indicates the circuitwires (see diagram, Figure 6), while 30 designates the mercury withinthe cup.

, The manner in which the invention is used is thought will be clearfrom the foregoing description and the accompanying drawing. It might bewell, however, to say that by adj usting the float 14 to bring themercury level close to the contact points 11 the instrument becomes moresensitive to tilting inclinations than when the mercury level is fartheraway from the points. That is to say, if it is desired to effect anindication when the machine has tilted ten degrees the float will be adjusted to bring the mercury level very close to the contact points whenthe cup is horizontal. When the angle of tilt is not to be indicateduntil it has passed twenty degrees or more the float is adjusted in sucha position as to lower the mercury level correspondingly.

If desired, the lights, of course, may be shaded or shielded in anysuitable way and when the instrument is to be used on aeroplanes the cupand cover will, of course, be encased in suitable insulating material sothat the mercury will not freeze; or a fluid which will freeze at alower temperature than mercury may be employed. These being meremechanical expedients well known in the art are not illustrated in thedrawing of my application since per se they are not of the essence ofthe invention. I

For straight commercial flying with experienced pilots, the dial 24,rack and gear can be eliminated and the height of the mercury in thebowl can be placed to a predetermined levelfor a predetermined degree ofaccuracy through the plugged hole 31.

As a turn bank indicator, the instrument will show when a true bank ismade because the centrifugal force will hold the mercury level, and asan inclinometer, by determining at what angle the certain lights comeinto the circuit for a given height of mercury in the bowl. c,

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided in effect twoinstruments in one, in which easy and direct reading can be had, aninstrument which produces an artifi cial horizon, an instrument that isuseful for training "student pilots, night flying, flying through fogand storms, and an instrument that will indicate the horizontal positionof a plane, surface or line.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, it is thought the complete construction, operationand advantages of my invention will be clear to those skilled in the artto which it relates.

What I claim is:

1. An instrument of the character described, comprising as a unit a cup,a conducting fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, :1 set ofsurge-reducing tubes in the cup having provisions to receive said fluidand to retard its flow into and out of the tubes, a set of contactpoints carried by the cup, one for projecting into and cooperating witheach tube, a dial secured to the cup, aset of signals on the dial, oneforv each contact point, electrical circuits for said signals andcontact points, said tubes being arranged with their axes parallel tothat of the cup and in a circle around the cups axis.

2. An instrument of the character described, comprising as a unit a cup,a conducting fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a set ofsurge-reducing tubes in the cup having provisions to receive said fluidand to retard its flow into and out of the tubes, a set of contactpoints carried by the cup, one for projecting into and cooperating witheach 7 tube, a dial secured to the cup, a set of signals on the dial,one for each contact point, electrical circuits for said signals andcontact points, said tubes being arranged with their axes parallel tothat of the cup and in a circle around the cups axis, a'fluiddisplacingbody in the cup, a shaft having bearing in said dial, acombined knob and dial on the shaft, a rack rod on said displacing bodyand a pinion on said shaft to mesh with the rack of said rod for movingsaid rod in a direction to cause said fluid displacing body when movedto vary the level of the fluid in the cup.

3. An instrument of the characterdescribed, comprising as a unit a cup,a conducting fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup,

a set of surge-reducing tubes in the cup havin provisions to receivesaid fluid and to retar its .flow into and out of the tubes, a set ofcontact points carried by the cup, one for projecting into andcooperating with each tube, adial. secured to the cup, a set of si alson the dial, one for each contact point, e ectrical circuits for saidsignals and contact points, said tubes being arranged with their axesparallel to that of the cup and in a circle around the cups axis, saidcu having an under curved annulus in its si e wall adjacent the bottomof the cup.

4. An instrument of the character described comprising as a unit a cup,a conducting fluid in the cup, a cover for thecup, va set ofsurge-reducing tubes in thecu p' having provisions to receive saidfiu'idand to re- .tard its flow into and out of the tubes, a set ofcontact points carried by the cup, one for projecting into andcooperating with each tube, a dial secured to the cup, a set of signalson the dial, one for each contact point,

electrical circuits for said signals and condial on the shaft, 21 rackrod on said dis-- placing body and a pinion on said shaft to mesh withthe rack of said rod for moving said rod in a direction to cause saidfluid displacing body when moved to vary the level of the fluid in thecup, said cup having an under curved annulus in its side wall adjacentthe bottom of the cup.

5. In an instrument of the character described, a cup having a removablecover, means securing the cover in place, a dial secured to the cup, anadjusting shaft bearing and gear box mounted on the cover, a shaftmounted in hearings in said box and dial and having a pinion within saidbox, a dialknob on the shaft, a conducting fluid in the cup, a series ofcircuit closing points carried by the cover and projecting into the box,a fluid level regulating body in the cup, a rack shaft secured to saidbody and meshing with said pinion, whereby the space betweien saidpoints and fluid level may be varie 6; In an instrument of the characterdescribed, a cup having a removable cover, means securing the cover inplace, a dial secured to the cup, an adjusting shaft hearing and gearbox mounted on the cover, a shaft mounted inbearings in said box anddial and having a pinion within said box, a dial-knob on the shaft, aconducting fluid in the cup, a'series of circuit closing points carriedby the cover and projecting into the box, a fluid level regulating bodyin the cup, a rack shaft secured to said body and meshing with saidpinion, whereby the space between said points and fluid level may bevaried, and means within said cup for resisting surging of the fluid.

7. In an instrument of the character described, a cup having a removablecover, means securing the cover in place, a dial secured to the cup, anadjusting shaft bearing and gear box mounted on the cover, a shaftmounted in hearings in said box and dial and having a pinion Within saidbox, a dial-knob on the shaft, a conducting fluid in the cup, a seriesof circuit closing points carried by the cover and projecting into thebox, a fluid level regulating body in the cup, a rack shaft secured tosaid body and meshing with said pinion, whereby the space between saidpoints and the fluid level may be varied, said cup having its side wallundercutadjacent the bottom of the cup.

8. In an instrument of the character described, a cup having a removablecover, means securing the cover in place, a dial secured to the cup, anadjusting shaft bearing and gear box mounted on the cover, a shaftmounted in' bearings in said box and dial and having a pinion withinsaid box, a dialknob on the shaft, a conducting fluid in the cup, aseries of circuit closing points carried by the cover and projectinginto the -box, a fluid level regulating body in the cup, a rack shaftsecured to said body and meshing with said pinion, whereby the spacebetween said points and the fluid level may be varied, andsurge-restraining tubes within the cup, one for each of said points.

9. In 'an instrument of the character described, a cup having aremovable cover, means securing the cover in place, a dial secured tothe cup, an adjusting shaft bearing and gear box mounted on the cover, ashaft mounted in bearings in said box and .dial and having a pinionwithin said box, a

dialknob on the shaft, a conducting fluid in the cup, a series ofcircuit closing points carried by the cover and projecting into the box,a fluid level regulating body in the vcup, a rack shaft securedto saidbody and meshing with said pinion, whereby the space between said pointsand fluid level may be varied, and means within said cup for resistingsurging of the fluid, and surge-restraining tubes within the cup, onefor each of said points.

10. An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup, aconducting fluid in the cup, 'a cover for the cup, a set of tubes eachextendingifrom the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubesbeing arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes ofthe tubes parallel thereto, a set of contact points carried by thecover, one for each tube, said contact points projecting into theirrespective tubes, said tubes each having fluid passing apertures adjacent the bottom of the cup and having other apertures above the liquidlevel of the cup.

11. An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup, aconducting fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a set of tubes eachextending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubesbeing arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes ofthe tubes parallel thereto, a set of contact points carried by thecover, one for each tube, said contact points projecting into theirrespective tubes, said tubes each having fluid passing aperturesadjacent the bottom of the cup and having other apertures above theliquid level inthe cup, said points having portions plugging the ends ofand cooperating to hold said tubes rigidly in place in said cup.

12. An instrument of the .class described, including as a unit, a cup, aconductin fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a set 0 tubes forextending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubesbeing arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes ofthe tubes parallel thereto, a set' of contact points projecting intotheir respective tubes, said tubes each having fluid passing aperturesadjacent the bottom of the cup and having other apertures above theliquid level in the cup, said tubes lying in proximity to the wall ofthe fluid chamber of said cup and said wall having a curved end cutportion at the bottom.

13, An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup, aconductin fluid in the cup, a cover for-the cup, a set 0 tubes eachextending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubesbeing arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes of.the tubes parallel thereto, a set of contact points carried by thecover, one for each tube, said contact points projecting into theirrespective tubes, said tubeseach having fluid passing apertures adjacentthe bottom of the cup and having other apertures above the liquid levelin the cup, said points having portions plugging the ends of said tubesabove said last named apertures and cooperating to hold said tubesrigidly in place in said cup, said tubes lying in proximity to the wallof the fluid chamber of said cup and said wall having a curved end cutportion at the bottom;

14. An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup, aconductin fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a. set 0 tubes eachextending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubesbeing arranged in a circle around the axis of the cup with the axes ofthe tubes parallel thereto, a set of contact points carried by thecover, one for each tube, said contact points proj ecting into theirrespective tubes, said tubes each having fluid passing aperturesadjacent the bottom of the cup and having other aper tures above theliquid level of the cup, a fluid level changing means carried by thecover and itself comprising a fluid displacing body within the cupsurrounded by the circle of tubes, a rack rod secured to said body andpassing through "a fluid-tight aperture in the cover and an operatingshaft and pinion mounted on the cover to cooperate with said rod for thepurpose of raising and lowering said fluid displacing body.

' 15. An instrument of the class described, including as a unit, a cup,a conductin fluid in the cup, a cover for the cup, a set 0 tubes eachextending from the bottom of the cup to adjacent the cover, said tubesbeing arwith the axes of the tubes parallel thereto, a set of contactpoints carried by the cover, one for each tube, said contact pointsprojecting into their respective tubes, said tubes 'each having fluidpassing apertures adj acent the bottom of the cup and having otherapertures above the liquid level in the cup, said points having'portionsplugging the ends of said tubes above'said last named apertures, andcooperating to hold said tubes rigidly in place in said cup, a fluidlevel changing means carried by the cover and itself comprising a fluiddisplacing body within the cup surrounded by the circle of tubes, a rackrod secured to said body and passing through a fluid-tight aperture inthe cover, and an operating shaft and pinion mounted on the cover tocooperate with said rod for the purpose of raising and lowering saidfluid displacing body. JOHN PAUL FEDOR.

O5 ranged in a circle around the axis of the cup

